VOA常速英语2007-Future of Nepal's King Gyanendra in Question

By Steve Herman
Kathmandu, Nepal
24 October 2007
 
More than a year after an interim¹ coalition² took control of Nepal's government from the unpopular King Gyanendra, politicians are debating the future of the monarchy³, and the country's development. VOA correspondent Steve Herman recently visited Kathmandu and has more on the debate.

Once a year, Nepal's virgin⁴ goddess, the Kumari, appears at a festival and gives the king her blessing⁵.

It is likely that this year's blessing was the last for King Gyanendra.

After seizing control of the government in 2005, the king was stripped of his power. Massive street protests last year brought in a new interim government.

The new government signed a peace agreement with the Maoist rebels, ending a 10-year conflict.

Now, the Maoists demand that the government and lawmakers immediately declare Nepal a republic, ending the monarchy.

Arjun Narasingha - an executive member of Nepali Congress, the largest political party - says the Maoists should be patient since King Gyanendra has been neutralized⁶. "He's not only inactive, he's powerless. And, virtually speaking, he has no entity⁷ in Nepalese politics."

Maoists leaders disagree strongly. Senior Maoist leader C.P. Gajurel says the monarchy is a threat to Nepal. "Everywhere in the history monarchy had tried its comeback again. And (in Nepal) it has its own class. A section of the army is still loyal to the monarchy, which it was trained for (to protect) the last 250 years."

King Gyanendra came to power in 2001 after his brother King Birendra was assassinated⁸ by his own son.

Experts say the new king's autocratic style put him in conflict with government leaders, whom he said were too weak to end the Maoist insurgency⁹ and improve the economy.

On the streets, many people appear fed up with the bickering¹⁰ among the politicians, the Maoists and the monarchists. Travel agency employee Udhav Situala says none have governed effectively. "Whoever runs Nepal, it is high time for peace so that the people can live and work normally."

The king, for his part, these days keeps silent. Analysts¹¹ say that either by legislation or force, King Gyanendra is likely to be ousted¹² and exiled.

That would close a two-and-half century era that saw Nepal evolve from feudal¹³ rule to a nation-state, but one that has yet to achieve prosperity or a stable democracy.

1 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

2 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

3 monarchy   

n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国

参考例句：

• The monarchy in England plays an important role in British culture.英格兰的君主政体在英国文化中起重要作用。
• The power of the monarchy in Britain today is more symbolical than real.今日英国君主的权力多为象徵性的，无甚实际意义。

4 virgin   

n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的

参考例句：

• Have you ever been to a virgin forest?你去过原始森林吗？
• There are vast expanses of virgin land in the remote regions.在边远地区有大片大片未开垦的土地。

5 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。

6 neutralized   

v.使失效( neutralize的过去式和过去分词 )；抵消；中和；使（一个国家）中立化

参考例句：

• Acidity in soil can be neutralized by spreading lime on it. 土壤的酸性可以通过在它上面撒石灰来中和。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This strategy effectively neutralized what the Conservatives had hoped would be a vote-winner. 这一策略有效地冲淡了保守党希望在选举中获胜的心态。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 entity   

n.实体，独立存在体，实际存在物

参考例句：

• The country is no longer one political entity.这个国家不再是一个统一的政治实体了。
• As a separate legal entity,the corporation must pay taxes.作为一个独立的法律实体，公司必须纳税。

8 assassinated   

v.暗杀( assassinate的过去式和过去分词 )；中伤；诋毁；破坏

参考例句：

• The prime minister was assassinated by extremists. 首相遭极端分子暗杀。
• Then, just two days later, President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. 跟着在两天以后，肯尼迪总统在达拉斯被人暗杀。 来自辞典例句

9 insurgency   

n.起义；暴动；叛变

参考例句：

• And as in China, unrest and even insurgency are widespread. 而在中国，动乱甚至暴乱都普遍存在。 来自互联网
• Dr Zyphur is part an insurgency against this idea. 塞弗博士是这一观点逆流的一部分。 来自互联网

10 bickering   

v.争吵( bicker的现在分词 )；口角；（水等）作潺潺声；闪烁

参考例句：

• The children are always bickering about something or other. 孩子们有事没事总是在争吵。
• The two children were always bickering with each other over small matters. 这两个孩子总是为些小事斗嘴。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

11 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

12 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

13 feudal   

adj.封建的，封地的，领地的

参考例句：

• Feudal rulers ruled over the country several thousand years.封建统治者统治这个国家几千年。
• The feudal system lasted for two thousand years in China.封建制度在中国延续了两千年之久。